/  7 


SPEECH 


-it 
HON.  JAMES  S.  WILEY,  OF  MAINE, 


THE  ACQUISITION  OF  TERRITORY. 


COVERED 


IN  THB  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES,  MAY  16,  1848. 


WASHINGTON: 
PKINTED  AT  THE  CONGRESSIONAL  GLOBE  OFFICE, 

1848. 


ACQUISITION  OF  TERRITORY. 


The  House  being  in  Committee  of  the  Whole 
on  the  state  of  the  Union,  and  having  under  con- 
sideration the  Navy  Pension  Dill — 

Mr.  WILEY  said: 

Mr.  CHAIRMAN:  I  embrace  this  opportunity  to 
express  my  views  in  relation  to  the  policy  of  our 
Government  towards  that  of  Mexico,  especially  in 
regard  to  the  indemnity  which  we  demand  for  the 
injuries  incurred  by  us  prior  to  and  during  the 
prese/U  war  with  that  nation. 

On  the  13th  day  of  May,  1846,  this  House,  by 
a  vote  of  174  to  14,  and  the  Senate  by  a  still  more 
decisive  voice,  declared,  that  "  by  the  act  of  the 
Republic  of  Mexico,  war  existed  between  that 
Government  and  the  United  States;"  and  "  for  the 
purpose  of  enabling  this  Government  to  prosecute 
said  war  to  a  speedy  and  successful  termination," 
the  President  was  authorized  to  employ  the  naval 
and  military  force  of  the  United  States,  and  the 
sum  often  millions  of  dollars  was  appropriated  for 
the  same  purpose. 

I  shall  not  at  the  present  time  go  into  a  particu- 
lar consideration  of  the  causes  and  history  of  the 
war,  nor  attempt  a  description  of  the  many  and 
brilliant  exploits  of  our  gallant  army.  This  task, 
most  grateful  to  every  patriotic  heart,  has  been  most 
ably  performed  by  many  members  of  this  and  the 
preceding  Congress. 

I  believe,  sir,  that  the  people  are  pretty  well  in- 
formed on  this  subject;  and  whenever  the  justice 
or  expediency  of  the  war  has  been  brought  in  ques- 
tion, they  have  promptly  and  emphatically  decided 
in  its  favor.  The  American  people,  generally,  are 
patriotic,  and  when  the  question  is  between  our 
«irn  and  a  foreign  country,  they  will  say  ou?-  coun- 
try. Yes,  sir,  such  is  their  love  of  country,  and 
so  great  their  attachment  to  our  institutions,  that 
a  (rrcat  majority  of  them  will  say,  "  our  country, 
right  or  tcroiig1. " 

But,  sir,  both  Congress  and  the  country  have 
passed  upon  this  question.  They  have  decided 
that  there  was  just  cause  for  the  war,  and  that  it 
ehould  be  prosecuted  till  an  honorable  peace  shall 
be  obtained.  I  shall  not  attempt  to  array  all  the 
testimony  to  prove  this  position.  The  act  of  May, 
1846,  is  decisive  on  the  point;  to  which  I  might 
add  the  further  fact,  that  many  members  hold  scats 
on  thftfloorwho  would  hardly  have  obtained  them 
had  they  been  openly  opposed  to  the  war,  and 
pledged  to  vote  against  the  measures  necessary 
to  its  prosecution.  This  is  also  the  case  in  the 
other  branch  of  Congress. 

^  Nor  shall  I  go  into  a  lengthy  and  labored  inves- 
tigation of  the  manner  in  which  the  war  has  been 
conducted.  The  history  of  the  Mexican  war  is 
before  the  world.  It  is  enough  to  say,  that  in  the 


short  time  of  less  than  two  years,  our  armies,  under 
the  most  unfavorable  circumstances — in  a  foreign 
country ,  possessing,  in  some  regions  through  which 
they  marched,  the  most  pestilential  climate — with 
the  most  fearful  odds  against  them,  achieved  a  seriea 
of  the  most  brilliant  victories  ever  recorded  on  th« 
pages  of  history.  , 

But  this  war — undertaken  for  the  purpose  of  de- 
fending our  territory  and  protecting  our  citizens 
from  the  assaults  of  the  invader,  and  prosecuted 
with  a  view  to  obtain  indemnky  for  a  long  seriea 
of  injuries  and  outrages  committed  upon  the  prop- 
erty and  lives  of  our  citizens,  and  security  against 
like  injuries  and  outrages  in  future — is  now  prob- 
ably brought  to  a  close.  At  least,  hostilities  hav« 
for  the  present  ceased;  and  the  two  Governments 
have  lately  been  considering  the  grounds  on  which 
a  final  settlement  should  take  place,  and  the  kind 
and  amount  of  indemnity  which  we  have  a  right  to 
demand. 

By  the  treaty  lately  adopted  by  the  Senate,  and 
sent  to  Mexico  for  ratification  there,  it  is  stipulated, 
on  the  part  of  that  Government,  to  cede  to  the 
United  States  New  Mexico  and  Upper  California; 
for  which  we  are  to  pay  a  certain  sum  of  money, 
and  assume  the  debts  due  from  Mexico  to  the  citi- 
zens of  the  United  States.  This  state  of  things 
presents  for  our  consideration  the  question  whether, 
by  this  arrangement,  we  are  to  receive  sufficient 
indemnity  for  the  debts  originally  due  us,  and  for 
the  losses  sustained  in  prosecuting  the  war  to  tho 
present  time;  and  whether  it  is  good  policy  to  ex- 
tend further  the  area  of  our  Union.  Of  this  issue, 
I  taRe  the  affirmative.  , 

We  have  seen,  sir,  that  the  policy  of  the  Gov- 
ernment, in  this  respect,  has  been  most  bitterly 
assailed,  both  upon  this  floor  and  in  the  Senate. 
A  distinguished  Senator  from  Massachusetts  [Mr.  . 
WEBSTER]  opposes  the  policy  of  acquisition,  both 
on  the  ground  of  the  alleged  unconstitutionality  of 
the  measure,  and  of  the  worthlessness  (as  he  says) 
of  the  territory  involved.  He  remarks: 

"  I  am  against  the  creation  of  new  States.    I  am  against 
the  acquisition  of  territory  to  form  new  States." 

Again: 


I  ;iy,  sir,  if  I  am  asked  to-day  whether,  for  the  Fake  of 
peace  jf  will  take  a  treaty  which  brings  two  new  States  i  ito 
this  Umon,  ou  its  southern  boundary,  I  say  MO — distinctly, 
no.  I  have  said  on  ;he  southern  boundary,  because  there 
the  present  proposition  takes  its  locality.  I  would  say  the 
sain.!  of  the  western,  the  eastern,  or  any  other  boundary.  I 
would  resist  to  day,  and  to  the  end,  here  and  everywhere,  anj 
proposition  to  add  any  foreign  territory,  on  the  south  or  west, 
north  or  ei\  t,  to  the  States  "of  this  Union  aa  they  are  nov» 
constituted  and  held  together  under  tin:  Constitution.  Sir, 
I  hold  this  q in: -non  to  he  vital,  permanent,  elementary,  in 
tin;  future  prospr-nty  of  this  country  and  the  maintenance  of 
the  Constitution." 

Here  we  see  that  the  Senator  opposes  acquisition 


4 


on  constitutional  grounds.  And  he  considers  this 
"  if  not  the  undivided,  the  preponderating  sentiment 
of  the  whole  North."  Besides,  sir,  the  Senator  is 
willing  to  make  this  an  issue  before  the  people, 
"from  the  Gulf  to  the  British  provinces,  and  from 
the  ocean  to  the  Missouri."  Now,  sir,  let  me 
say,  that  we  are  willing  to  go  before  the  people 
with  this  issue.  Indeed ,  they  have  decided  already. 
So  far  as  I  have  been  able  to  learn  the  wishes  and 
feelings  of  the  people,  they  have  spoken  loudly 
in  favor  of  the  acquisition  of  Mexican  territory — 
more  especially  since  it  has  become  evident  that  we 
can  obtain  indemnity  in  no  other  way.  Sir,  if  the 
question  were  put  to  the  legal  voters  to-day,  whether 
they  would  prefer  territory  or  no  indemnity,  they 
would  decide,  by  an  overwhelming  majority,  in 
favor  of  acquisition.  I  go  further,  sir,  and  say, 
that  Congress  has  twice  decided  this  question  in 
the  affirmative — first  in  May,  1846,  when  they 
placed  at  the  control  of  the  Executive  ten  millions 
of  dollars  and  fifty  thousand  men,  for  the  purpose 
of  prosecuting  the  war.  It  was  well  understood 
that  Mexico  had  neither  money  nor  credit,  and 
that  we  must  take  land  or  nothing;  and  I  cannot 
believe  that  any  sane  man  supposed  that  we  should 
enter  upon  such  an  undertaking  with  no  view  of 
obtaining  anything  for  the  wrongs  and  injuries 
before  sustained,  the  debts  then  due,  or  for  the  ex- 
penses to  be  incurred. 

Again,  at  rtie  last  session  of  Congress,  a  bill  was 
passed  appropriating  three  millions  of  dollars,  with 
the  express  object  of  acquiring  territory  from  Mex- 
ico. Thus,  sir,  the  question  of  territorial  indem- 
nity may  be  considered  as  settled — not  only  by  the 
people,  but  by  Congress.  And  had  the  President 
negotiated  a  treaty  by  which  we  were  to  receive 
the  promises  of  bankrupt  Mexico  in  payment  of 
the  debts  previously  due,  and  the  expenses  incur- 
red in  prosecuting  the  war,  he  would  have  been 
overwhelmed  by  the  reprobation  of  an  outraged 
and  indignant  people.  No  doubt  the  Senator  is 
-correct  in  his  opinion,  so  far  as  the  Federal  States 
of  the  North  are  concerned.  But,  sir,  I  am  confi- 
dent that  such  is  not  the  sentiment  of  New  Hamp- 
shire. No,  sir;  the  recent  election  there  has  told 
the  story  for  the  Granite  State.  And  I  know,  sir, 
that  such  is  not  the  sentiment  of  Maine. 

But,  sir,  opposition  to  the  measure  of  acquisition 
is  just  what  we  should  expect  from  Whig  States, 
and  Whig  Representatives  and  Senators  here.  They 
have  always  been  opposed  to  the  enlargement  of 
our  borders.  Their  policy  has  rather  been  to  cur- 
tail and 'contract  the  area  of  freedom.  Yes,  sir, 
the  Senator  from  Massachusetts  is  in  principle  op- 
posed to  the  acquisition  of  any  more  territory, 
ex:cept  a  harbor  or  two  on  the  coast  of  California 
for  the  accommodation  of  the  commerce  of  Mas- 
sachusetts. There  are  some  whalemen  from  that 
'State  who  pursae  their  occupation  in  the  Pacific; 
and  they  must  be  provided  for,  of  course.  B^it  no 
more  new  States  must  be  added  to  the  Union,  be- 
cause Massachusetts  might  not,  in  that  case,  exert 
her  due  weight  of  influence  in  the  councils  of  the 
nation.  On  the  other  hand,  when  you  come  to  the 
question  of  ceding  aioay — selling  out  territory,  in- 
habitants and  all,  for  a  mere  nominal  equivalent, — 
why,  then  the  Senator  is  not  quite  so  scrupulous 
as  to  the  right  to  do  so — as  the  State  which  I  have 
the  honor  in  part  to  represent  once  had  the  misfor- 
tune to  learn,  to  her  everlasting  regret. 


Why,  sir,  more  than*  one-half' of  bur  present 
area  is  the  result  of  acquiring  large  tracts  of  terri- 
tory from  foreign  or  neighboring  Powers.  In 
1803,  the  Government  of  the  United  States,  under 
Mr.  Jefferson,  acquired,  by  treaty  with  France, 
that  vast  country  called  the  Louisiana  purchase. 
This  measure  met  with  the  most  strenuous  oppo- 
sition from  the  opponents  of  that  Democratic  Ad- 
ministration. A  great  portion  of  this  extensive 
and  fertile  region  was  considered  by  the  opposers 
of  acquisition  as  almost  entirely  worthless — fit  only 
for  the  abode  of  wild  beasts,  and  savages  as  wild. 
They  were  also  horror-struck  at  the  idea  of  admit- 
ting the  French  and  Spanish  inhabitants  then  liv- 
ing on  the  territory  to  equal  privileges  with  them- 
selves. The  acquisition  was  also  opposed  on 
constitutional  grounds.  And  it  is  said  that  Mr. 
Jefferson  himself  doubted  the  constitutionality  of 
the  purchase,  and  proposed  an  amendment  to  meet 
the  caSe.  But  he  considered  the  necessity  of  im- 
mediate action  so  great,  that  he  did  not  deem  it 
expedient  to  await  the  tardy  process  of  an  amend- 
ment to  the  Constitution.  It  is  evident,  however, 
that,  although  he  had  some  scruples  against  "set- 
ting an  example  of  broad  construction,"  he  never 
had  any  objection  to  the  measure  from  a  fear  that 
it  would  disturb  the  balance  of  the  Union  by  throw- 
ing the  preponderance  of  power  into  the  West. 
That  great,  sagacious,  and  far-seeing  statesman 
was  guided  by  no  such  narrow  views.  He  looked 
upon  that  measure  with  an  eye  single  to  the  pres- 
ent and  future  welfare  of  his  country.  And  the 
result  has  shown  that  this  was  the  wisest,  the  no- 
blest, of  the  many  wise  and  noble  deeds  of  that 
illustrious  patriot  and  sage. 

But,  the  measure  having  been  consummated, 
notwithstanding  the  strenuous  opposition  arrayed 
against  it,  its  great  utility  and  important  bearing 
on  the  prosperity,  not  only  of  the  western  States, 
but  upon  the  .whole  Union,  soon  quieted  the  fears, 
and  silenced  the  murmurs,  of  those  who  had  been 
so  unwise  and  short-sighted  as  to  Qppose  it. 

It  was  feared  that  the  result  of  this  acquisition^ 
so  vast  in  extent,  comprising,  as  it  did,  an  are 
nearly  equal  to  the  territory  of  all  the  origina' 
States,  would  be  to  change  the  whole  balance  of 
power  in  the  Union.  But  we  have  yet  experienced 
no  such  consequences.  Three  large  and  flourish- 
ing States  have  already  been  formed  out  of  the 
Louisiana  purchase,  and  others  will  probably  soon 
apply  for  admission  into  our  glorious  Confederacy. 
And,  sir,  when  they  are  prepared  to  do  so,  I  say, 
let  them  come.  Party  management,  and  a  jealousy 
of  the  prosperity  and  power  of  the  West,  may  for 
a  time  retard  their  admission;  but  they  will  have 
a  right  to  a  participation  in  the  privileges  and  bless- 
ings of  the  union,  and  they  must  be  admitted.  I  do 
not  fear  the  result.  I  do  not  believe  that  their  pa- 
triotism would  permit  them,  even  in  accordance 
with  their  interest,  to  abuse  the  power  which  they 
seem  likely  to  obtain.  I  prefer,  rather,  in  the  lan- 
guage of  the  immortal  Washington,  to  belief  e  that 
the  "  name  of  American,  which  belongs  to  them 
'  in  their  national  capacity,  must  always  exalt  their 
'just  pride  of  patriotism,  more  than  any  appella- 
1  tions  derived  from  local  discriminations.  They 
'  will  not  forget,  that  with  slight  shades  of  differ- 
1  ence,  they  have  the  same  religion ,  manners,  habits, 
'and  political  principles;  that  they' have,  in  a 
'  common  cause,  fought  and  triumphed  together; 


'  that  the  independence  and  liberty  we  possess,  are 
1  the  work  of  joint  councils  and  joint  efforts,  of 
'common  dangers,  sufferings,  and  successes." 

Tliere  are  but  few,  probably,  of  any  party  at 
the  present  day,  who  will  depy  the  great  value  and 
importance  of  the  Louisiana  purchase.  But  was 
it.s  acquisition  a  constitutional  act?  I  maintain  that 
it  was;  and  in  this  position  I  am  sustained  by  the 
highest  authority.  Mr.  Justice  Story,  in  his  Com- 
mentary on  the  Constitution,  while  speaking  on 
this  point,  says:  , 

;in  iiuiilcnt.il  power,  the  constitutional  power  of  the 
United  Siat.'-  to  acquire  territorv  would  seem  so  naturally 
to  flow  I'IOIM  the  sovereignty  confided  to  it,  as  not  to  admit 
of  very  si  nous  qiie-tion." 

"The  Constitution  confers  on  the  Government  of  the 
United  States  thf:  power  of  making  war,  and  of  making 
treaties;  and  it  serin-'  eonsi  qu<  ntly  to  possess  the  power  of 
acquirin"  territory,  either  Ity  conquest  or  tre'ity.  It  tlie  ces- 
sion l)n  liy  treaty,  the  terms  of  that  treaty  DlUSt  he  ohliiia- 
tory  ;  for  it  is  the  law  of  the  land.  And  'if  it  stipulates  iur 
the  enjoyment  hy  thn  inhabitants,  of  tlie  rights,  privileges, 
and  immunities  of  the  citi/.ens  of  the  United  States,  and  for 
th«-ir  adm's-i  >n  into  tlie  Union  as  a  St~.tr,  the.-e  stipulations 
must  be  equally  obligatory.  They  are  within  the  scope 'of 
tin-  eon.-tituiional  authority  of  the  Government,  which  has 
the  right  to  acquire  territory,  to  make  treaties,  and  to  admit 
M'sr  into  t!u-  Union."" 

This  language,  sir,  covers  the  whole  ground, 
both  in  regard  to  territory,  icith  or  without  inhab- 
itants, and  in  regard  to  States  to  be  received  into, 
or  annexed  to,  the  Union. 

Tlie  same  doctrine  is  also  held  by  other  element- 
ary writers  on  constitutional  law.  And  the  same 
point  may  also  be  considered  as  decided  by  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States,  in  the  case, 
American  Insurance  Company  vs.  Canter,  1  Peters' 
Sup.  C.  R.  511,  542. 

Our  Government  acted  upon  this  ground,  when, 
in  1819,  it  acquired  Florida  by  treaty  with  Spain, 
and  that,  too,  without  any  considerable  opposition. 
This  measure  seems  to  have  been  generally  acqui- 
esced in  by  all  parties,  which  may  be  considered 
as  stamping  with  the  seal  of  approbation  the  pre- 
ceding measure  of  the  like  kind. 

The  acquisition  of  Florida  took  place  under  the 
administration  of  Mr.  Munroe,  during  the  period 
of  general  amalgamation — the  "  era  of  good  feel- 
ing;" and  this  acquiescence  for  the  time,  can  hard- 
ly be  considered  as  an  exception  to  the  general 
assertion,  that  there  has  always  been  a  party  in 
our  country  opposed  to  the  enlargement  of  our 
boundaries,  and  to  the  spread  ofour  free  institutions; 
for  we  very  well  know,  that  the  same  determined 
and  violent  opposition  which  had  been  made  to  the 
acquisition  of  Louisiana,  was  renewed  and  arrayed 
against  the  annexation  of  Texas.  The  history  of 
Texas,  her  early  sufferings,  her  struggles  to  be 
free,  her  glorious  achievements,  her  ultimate  suc- 
cess in  establishing  her  independence,  and  her  final 
reception  in'o  the  sisterhood  of  States — all  these 
are  matters  of  history,  fresh  in  the  recollection  of 
all.  Here,  too,  the  doctrine  of  acquisition  was 
again  triumphant.  And  it  would  seem  as  though 
we  ought  to  consider  ttfe  question  as  res  ndjiulicuta, 
and  finally  put  to  rest.  Yen,  sir;  the  acquisition 
of  Louisiana,  Florida,  and  Texas,  are  "  foregone 
conclusions.*'  These  measures  have  been  "  sanc- 
tioned and  sanctified"  by  the  approbation  of  the 
American  people.  In  the  language  of  the  Senator 
from  Massachusetts,  "  I  consider  these  transac- 
« lions  as  passed,  fettled,  and  Ifgaliztd.  There  they 
<  stand.  They  are  a  part  of  our  political  history. 


1  They  are  facts,  «gainst  wtiich  it  would  be  idle  at 
'  this  day  to  contend." 

And  now,  sir,  the  question  is,  what  shall  be  the 
future  policy  of  our  Government  in  regard  to  the 
further  enlargement  ofour  borders?  By  the  treaty 
before  referred  to,  it  is  proposed  to  acquire  New 
Mexico  and  Upper  California.  This  proposition 
is  in  accordance  with  the  recommendation  of  the 
Executive  branch  of  the  Government,  and  has 
lately  received  the  constitutional  sanction  of  the 
Senate.  We  are  aware  that  there  was  considerable 
opposition  to  the  treaty;  some  Senators,  as  we  are 
informed,  objecting  on  account  of  tlie  munntr  in 
which  it  was  negotiated,  others  because  it  did  not 
offer  sufficient  indemnity,  and  others  still  because 
they  did  not  want  any  territory  at  all.  This  last 
position  is  the  one  assumed  by  the  Senator  from 
Massachusetts,  and  to  him  I  will  let  the  Senator 
from  New  Jersey  [Mr.  DAYTON]  answer.  He 
says: 

"The  Senator  from  VassachiiPPtts,  in  the  further  prose- 
cution of  hi-  riniument,  t"\\<  us  that  this  ireaty  «ives  us  the 
line  of  the  Ilio  Grande,  IVew  Mexico,  and  Upper  California; 
and,  in  view  of  this  acqui.-ition  of  territory,  the  Senator 
#oes  into  a  statement  showing  the  iirc.'s-arily  sparse  char- 
acter of  the  population,  now  and  for  a  loni:  time  to  come; 
and  he  then  goes  on  to  speak  of  the  number  of  States  which 
will  be  formed  out  of  the  territory  and  the  Senators  who 
will  then  take  their  seats  here.  In  other  words,  he  tells  us 
that  fourteen  new  Senators  will  take  their  places  here,  and, 
in  contemplation  or  that  result,  he  become-;  absolutely  struck 
with  horror.  FI"  den  mnees  the  whole  thinu  as  a  'monstros- 
ity'— a  'rfisfawoffon' — au '  enormity'  upon  the  fair  framework 
of  our  Government."  ,  <  ' 

Again,  he  remarks:       D0QC*O 

"The  admission  of  Texas  is  a  foregone  conclusion.  The 
number  of  States  that  may  be  carved  out  of  Texas  was  set- 
tled in  the  annexation  of  that  country.  Arrange  the  bound- 
aries of  Texas  as  you  may,  it  adds 'not  to,  nor  diminishes 
from,  the  number  of  Senators  which  she  may  at  a  future 
d  iv  p'ace  upon  this  floor.  Let  me  remark,  however,  that 
the  i, .11  Senators  from  Texas,  of  whom  the  Senator  speaks, 
will  not  come  liere  in  your  day,  nor  in  mine,  nor  in  >our 
children's,  nor  your  children's  children's  day.  Be  that  as  it 
may,  however,  the  Senator  relies  upon  these  ten  Senators 
from  Texas  in  order  to  make  out  his  position.  Sir,  he  nvght 
wit!)  the  same  propriety  have  ar.nr-d  from  the  admission  of 
Louisiana  and  Florida,  or  any  oilier  territory  acquired  since 
the  organization  of  ear  Government.  You  thus  get  rid,  at 
once,  of  ten  out  of  the  fourteen  JSrnators  that  have  alarmed 
the  ju-L'nvnt  of  the  distintruished  Senator.  These  '  men 
in  buckram'  pa<s  away.  From  fourteen  they  dwindle  at 
once  down  to  four !  Let  us  prosecute  this  matter  a  little 
further.  We  shail  find,  that  in  re  e  re  rice  even  to  the  re- 
maining four,  they  become  '  small  by  degrees  and  beautifully 

The  Senator  from  New  Jersey  disposes  of  these 
four  Senators  in  this  manner:  He  says  that  Texas 
has  claimed,  and  will  probable  continue  to  claim, 
all  the  territory  formerly  belonging  to  New  Mex- 
ico which  lies  east  of  the  Rio  Grande.  Indeed, 
this  Government  is  p'ed^ed  to  guaranty  that  por- 
tion to  Texns.  Now,  then,  probably  one-half  of 
what  is  called  New  Mexico  belongs  to  Texas,  and 
no  new  State  can  be  created  out  of  that  portion 
without  her  consent. 

•  In  regard  to  California,  the  Senator  from  New 
Jersey  ask's — 

"  When  are  th-'s;-  two  Senators  to  com«  from  California? 
fte  [the  Senator  f.-ovi  M  i-actiu^Us-]  speaks  of  California 
as  a  M'-tc,  and  of  New  Mexico  as  a  S^ite;  but  they  do  not 
come  here  as  Stales  at  all;  they  come  Here  as  territories — 
i  mri;  mi/,  -d  i.  rriioi  .a;or  -p-aks  of  Cal- 

ifornia as  a  Sfiie  !  What !  a  Sute  ti  In;  admitted  into  the 
Union,  embracing  t»n  decrees  of  latitude  on  the  coast  of  the 
Pacific  Ocean,  and  exlendiri"  from  five  hundred  to  a  thou- 
sand miles  into  the  interior!  Before  that  country  can  be 
represented  In  .re,  there  must  bo  a  population  of  suftk-iuut 


extent  to  authorize  the  crention  of  a  State,  nnd  that,  too, 
within  territorial  limits  bearing  some  proportion  to  the  ex- 
tent of  tlie  largest  States  in  this  Confederacy." 

Thus,  sir,  this  "  monstrosity,"  this  "  disfigura- 
tion," this  "enormity,"  which  so  frightens  the 
vision  of^the  Senator  from  Massachuseits,  is  made 
to  appear  a  very  small  and  insignificant  matter  in- 
deed. 

Having  thus  disposed  of  the  constitutional  ob- 
jection involved,  and  the  question  of  the  unfavor- 
able bearing  of  the  proposed  acquisition  upon  the 
Union,  I  proceed  to  consider  some  reasons  directly 
in  favor  of  the  measure. 

We  have  been  told,  sir,  that  this  acquisition 
would  not  be  worth  a  dollar  to  the  United  States. 
The  gentleman  from  Connecticut,  [Mr.  SMITH,] 
in  his  speech  dtlivered  in  this  House  a  few  weeks 
since,  gave  us  a  very  dark  and  revolting  picture  of 
the  territories  in  question.  He  would  make  us 
believe  that  this  whole  proposed  acquisition,  far 
from  being  of  any  value,  would  be  a  mere  curse 
to  our  Union;  and, consequently,  should  the  treaty 
be  ratified,  we  should  obtain  no  indemnity  what- 
ever, and  that  every  dollar  we  pay  will  be  worse 
than  thrown  away. 

Now,  sir,  let  us  see  how  this  matter  really  stands. 
And,  first,  we  will  survey  New  Mexico. 

It  is  not  strange  at  all,  that  we  should  have  un- 
favorable accounts  of  these  countries,  even  from 
our  own  countrymen,  prejudiced,  as  they  would 
naturally  be,  against  a  country  with  which  they 
were  at  war.  In  the  language  of  an  officer  in  the 
American  army,  written  from  Santa  Fe,  New 
Mexico,  January  21,  1848 — "  Much  that  has  been 
*  written  from  New  Mexico,  respecting  it,  doubt- 
'  less  originated  more  from  dislike  of,  and  a  de- 
'  sire  to  abuse  the  country,  than  ;from  a  wish  to 
'  impart  correct  information  concerning  it."  But, 
sir,  men  the  most  prejudiced  will  sometimes  tell 
the  truth,  although  they  may  not  design  to  do  so. 
It  is  so  with  one  of  the  witnesses  whom  the  gen- 
tleman from  Connecticut  calls  to  the  stand.  Col. 
Hardin  is  made  to  speak  thus  : 

"No  land  is  or  can  he  cultivated  in  Mexico,  except  by 
irrigation.  The  Mexicans  evince  great  ingenuity  in  the 
management  of  water  for  irrigating  purposes;  but  they  are 
poor  farmers.  'Their  plough  consists  of  a  straight  beam  with 
a  coulter  of  wood,  which  is  sometimes  covered  with  iron, 
about  three  inches  broad.  It  is  the  same  pattern  as  the  old 
Roman  plough.  Oxen  are  fastened  to  the  beam  by  strips  of 
raw-hide  tied  round  their  horns." 

When  we  read  this  description  of  their  plough, 
we  are  very  ready  to  believe  that  the  Mexicans 
are  "poor  farmers,"  and  are  hardly  prepared  to 
believe  what  follows: 

"They  raise  fine  corn  at  Monclovia  and  from  thence  to 
the  Rio  (Grande,,  and  pretty  good  at  Parras  and  Patos.  Wheat 
is  raised  i:i  the  vicinity  of  Monclova  nnd  Parras.  A  large 
quantity  of  grapes  is  raised  in  Parras,  from  which  is  manu- 
factured excellent  wine  and  brandy.  Suaar,  cotton,  and 
other  southern  productions,  grow  at  Monclova — most  of 
them  luxurinnt.'y.  Fine  vegetables  are  raised  ;  not  that  they 
can  be  cultivated  all  seasons  of  the  year." 

Another  extract  runs  thus: 

"The  mode  of  cultivation  is  as  rude  as  jmn&Jc  among  the 
prcat  mass  of  the  people.  The  hoe  is  unknown  ;  and  their 
ploughs  are  no  better  than  those  the  Egyptians  used  in'  patri- 
archal times.  There  has  been  no  progress  in  husbandry  for 
two  hundred  years;  and  the  whole  aspect  of  the  country 
denotes  decav  and  retrogression." 

These  extracts,  although  they  come  from  the 
other  side,  and  were  intended  to  make  a  different 
impression  from  what  they  really  do  make  on  my 
mind,  contain  much  truth.  We  do  not  wonder  at 


this  appearance  of  "decay,"  but  we  do  wonder 
that  the  soil  was  not  long  ago  entirely  exhausted, 
as  we  are  informed  that  no  dressing  is  used  on  the 
land,  nor  has  been  for  ages.  '  Sir,  we  could  hardly 
have  stronger  evidence  of  the  greatest  natural  fer- 
tility. 

1  will  here  introduce  another  extract  from  the 
letter  written  in  January  last  from  Santa  Fe: 

"  It  is  now  mid-winter,  and  yet  we  are  enjoying  as  fine 
weather  as  is  known  in  the  States  in  the  plea-ant  month  of 
September.  For  salubrity  and  geniality,  the  climate  of  no 
country  on  the  habitable  globe  can  surpass  that  of  New 
Mexico." 

Again: 

"  1  know  that  writers  have  generally  represented  New 
Mexico  as  a  comparitively  valueless  district,  with  but  few 
narrow  valleys  well  adapted  to  agriculture.  They  are,  how- 
ever, such  persons  as  Sterne  has  said,  'can  travel  from  Dan 
to  Beersheba,  and  cry  that  a!I  is  barren.'  The  valley  of  the 
Rio  del  Norte  has  a  number  of  more  important  settlements 
located  in  it  than  this,  the  capital;  and  extends  from  north 
to  south  one  hundred  and  fifty  miles.  Parts  of  it  cannot  be 
matched  in  beauty;  while  for  productiveness  of  soil,  the  best 
agricultural  districts  of  the  United  States  do  not  equal  it, 
with  all  the  advantages  which  that  possesses  over  this  in  the 
implements  of  agriculture  and  superior  cultivation." 

He  then  speaks  of  the  rude  implements  of  hus- 
bandry, and  the  miserable  mode  of  cultivation,  and 
adds: 

."  Yet  the  soil,  thus  imperfectly  cultivated,  yields  in  wheat 
fifty  bushels  to  the  acre,  on  an  average,  throughout  the  ter- 
ritory; while  in  the  United  States,  the  average,  in  the  best 
wheat-growing  districts,  is  but  little,  if  any,  more  than 
twenty  bu-hels  to  the  acre.  The  standard  weight  of  wheat 
south  of  this,  in  the  Rio  Vega  country,  as  it  is  called,  is 
equal  to  sixtv  pounds  to  the  bushel,  and  sixty-two  pounds 
north,  in  El  Valley  de  Taos." 

This  gentleman  estimates  the  white  population 
of  New  Mexico  at  120,000,  and  remarks: 

"This  and  the  valley  of  San  Miguel,  according  to  the  last 
census  taken,  contain  30,000;  and  all  the  intelligent  resi- 
dents concur  in  estimating  the  population'  of  El  Valley  de 
Taos  and  the  Rio  Vega,  with  their  dense  settlements,  at 
90,000,  (which  would  amount  to  150.000.)  With  a  climate 
eminently  favorable  to  animal  and  vegetable  development, 
this  country,  if  reclaimed  from  the  possession  of  the  Mex- 
ican occupants,  and  dedicated  to  the  profitable  purposes  for 
which  it  was  evidently  designed  by  Providence,  will  prove 
to  be  capable  of  a  dense  population." 

This  account  is  corroborated  by  the  description 
given  of  the  same  region  by  the  Hon.  Willard  P. 
Hall,  a  Representative  from  Missouri,  (who  trav- 
elled through  New  Mexico  and  Upper  California 
about  two  years  a°:o,and  to  who'm  1  am  much  in- 
debted for  very  valuable  information  in  regard  to 
these  countries",)  except  that  my  friend  from  Mis- 
souri estimates  the  population  at  a  little  more  than 
100,000,  the  census  having  been  taken,  as  hethinks, 
in  1843.  These  settlements  are  confined  to  a  very 
small  part  of  the  habitable  portion  of  the  country; 
and,  as  we  have  seen,  the  portions  of  country  now 
occupied  have  been  cultivated  in  the  most  mis- 
erable manner  for  two  hundred  years.  The  gen- 
tleman before  referred  to  informs  me  that  there  is 
much  good  land  which  has  never  been  cultivated 
at  all.  And  we  may  safely  conclude,  that  when 
the  Indians  shall  retire,  as  they  will  readily  do, 
before  a  hardy,  industrious,  and  enterprising  pop- 
ulation, which  will  doubtless  soon  flow  in  from 
the  States;  when  the  rude  mode  of  cultivation 
now  practised  shall  give  way  to  the  superior  and 
still  improving  modes  now  in  use  here;  when  the 
rude  and  miserable  crooked  beam  of  the  ancient 
Roman  shall  yield  to  the  excellent  and  efficient 
Yankee  plough,  New  Mexico  will  as  easily  sus- 


tain  1,500,000  or  2,000,000  of  people  as  itspresent 
number. 

New  Mexico  is  also  rich  in  mineral  productions. 
I  shall  quote  from  a  work  which  the  gentleman 
from  Connecticut  cites,  and  which,  of  course,  will 
be  acknowledged  as  good  authority,  by  him  at 
least:  it  is  Gregg's  Commerce  of  the  Prairies,  pub- 
lished in  1844.  Mr.  Gregg  spent  a  great  portion 
of  the  time  for  nine  years  in  New  Mexico,  and  is 
therefore  entitled  to  speak  with  authority  in  regard 
to  matters  pertaining  to  the  country. 

Speaking  of  thefold  mine  called  "  El  Placer," 
he  remarks: 

"  The  quantity  of  fold  extracted  between  the  years  1832 
and  ItW/i  could  not  have  amounted  to  Jess  than  from  ;$60,00t) 
to  §-80,000  per  annum." 

And  although  there  has  been  considerable  fall- 
ing off  since  that  time,  he  remarks: 

"The  reduction  in  profit  during  the  List  few  years  has 
been  caused  more  by  a  want  or'  energy  and  enterprise  than 
by  exhaustion  of  the  precious  metal,  as  only  a  very  small 
portion  of  the  fcoid  region  ha4  yet  beeu  dog.  *  *  *  *  * 
The  du-t  and  Drains  obtained  at  this  mine  are  virgin  gold; 
and,  as  before  remarked,  are  of  a  very  fine  quality,  produ- 
cing at  the  United  States  Mint  an  average  of  at  least  $19  70 
to  the  mince  troy,  after  melting,  or  about .419  iiOgrnss.  *  * 
Could  any  dependence  be  placed  in  the  integrity  of  the  Gov- 
ernment, I  have  no  doubt  that,  with  sufficient  capital  and 
the  aid  of  machinery,  (such  as  are  used  in  the  mines  of 
Georgia  and  Carolina,)  the  old  mines  of  the  province  might 
be  reopened,  and  a  great  number  of  'placers'  very  extensively 
and  profitably  worked." 

He  also  speaks  of  others  which  were  in  1844 
extensively  worked: 

"  In  truth."  says  he,  "as  some  of  the  natives  have  justly 
remarked,  New  Mexico  is  almost  one  continued  'placer,' 
traces  of  gold  being  discovered  over  nearly  the  whole  sur- 
face of  the  country." 

The  process  of  extracting  the  gold  from  the  ore 
is  very  rude  and  simple.  And  the  writer  of  the  let- 
ter, from  which  I  have  before  quoted,  says: 

"  With  proper  machinery,  a  single  person  would  be  able* 
to  wash  more  in  an  hour  than  twenty  Mexicans  in  a  day ? 
with  their  hands  and  little  i«^cos,  or  bowls." 

He  further  says: 

"  From  several  years'  experience  in  mining,  I  am  some- 
what qualified  to  judjre  of  its  practical  operations;  and  I  am 
correct  in  saying,  that  nothing  like  mining  has  ever  been 
done  in  \ew  Mexico." 

Besides  go!d,  there  are  mines  of  zinc,  copper, 
and  lead— and  iron  in  great  abundance.  There  are 
also  vast  quantities  of  salt — one  of  the  salinas  being 
five  miles  in  circumference,  and  yielding  an  inex^ 
haustible  supply. 

Nor  is  there  any  reason  why  manufactures  should 
not  flourish  here.  The  country  is  well  adapted  to 
the  growth  of  the  raw  material — cotton  and  wool; 
and  the  streams  are  of  such  a  character  as  to  afford 
excellent  water-power.  It  is  said,  1  know,  that 
these  streams  fail  before  they  reach  the  main  rivers 
towards  which  they  flow;  but  in  the  hilly  portions 
of  the  country,  nearer  their  sources,  they  are  kept 
full  by  the  melting  of  the  large  quantities  of  snow 
which  remain  upon  the  mountains  till  late  in  the 
summer.  Besides,  we  should  recollect  that  there 
is  an  abundance  of  rain  from  April  to  October;  so 
that  the  streams  must  be  supplied  with  water  a 
large  part  of  the  year. 

Let  us  now,  sir,  take  a  glance  at  California. 
And  here,  again,  I  shall  avail  myself  of  the  inform- 
ation derived  from  my  friend  from  Missouri, 
[Mr.  HALL.]  He  informs  me  that  the  climate  is 
the  most  salubrious  and  healthful  in  the  world; 
and,  although  he  does  not  think  the  soil  is  quite 


so  good  as  that  in  the  valley  of  the  Mississippi, 
yet  that  it  is  superior  to  that  in  other  portions  of 
the  United  States.  He  remarks  that  the  valley  of 
the  Sacramento,  which  is  about  three  hundred  and 
fifty  miles  in  length,  and  thirty  or  forty  in  width, 
is  probably  one  of  the  most  fertile  in  the  world. 
There  are  other  valleys  equally  fertile,  though  not 
so  extensive.  And  he  fully  confirms  the  state- 
ment of  others,  to  the  effect  that  it  is  finely  adapted 
to  the  raising  of  grain,  and  for  grazing.  Horned 
cattle,  sheep,  and  horses  are  raised  in  great  num- 
bers, and  of  excellent  quality.  Wild  horses,  elk 
deer,  and  other  game,  abound  in  the  uninhabited 
portions  of  the  country.  Those  parts  of  the  dis- 
trict, which  are  habitable  are  capable  of  sustaining 
as  numerous  a  population  as  Italy.  My  friend 
from  Missouri  corrects  a  statement  made  in  a  letter 
written  by  him  from  California,  soon  after  his  arrival 
in  the  country,  and  before  he  had  seen  much  of  it, 
in  regard  to  tht  necessity  of  irrigation  for  all  the 
crops  raised.  He  remarks  that  wheat,  oats,  and 
the  grains  generally,  can  be  raised  ivillwut  irriga- 
tion, but  that  later  crops  require  this  process. 
Vegetables,  of  which  a  large  quantity  can  be  raised 
on  a  small  piece  of  ground,  are  produced  without 
much  expense,  even'at  the  cost  of  irrigation. 

The  same  remarks  that  were  made  in  relation  to 
the  mineral  resources  of  New  Mexico,  will  gener- 
ally apply  here,  with  the  additional  remark  that 
there  is,  near  the  Bay  of  San  Francisco,  one  of  tho 
most  valuable -mines  of  quicksilver  in  the  world. 
Coal  also  abounds. 

I  will  here  introduce  one  extract  from  Waddy 
Thompson's  Mexico: 

"From  all  the  information  which  I  have  received — and  \ 
have  been  inquisitive  on  the  subject — I  am  well  satisfied 
that  there  is  not  on  this  continent  any  country  or  the  same 
extent  as  little  desirable  as  Oregon*  nor  any  in  the  world  which 
combines  as  many  advantages  as  California.  *  *  *  To 
siy  nothing  of  any  other  harbors  in  California,  that  of  San 
Francisco  is  sufficiently  capacious  for  the  navies  of  the 
world,  and  its  shores  are  covered  with  enough  timber  (a  spe- 
cies of  the  live-oak)  to  build  those  navies.  If  man  were  to 
ask  of  God  a  climate,  he  would  ask  ju.-t  such  a  one  as  that 
of  California.  There  is  no  portion  of  the  western  conti- 
nent which  produces  all  the  grains  so  well.  I  have  been 
told  by  more  than  one  person,  on  whom  I  entirely  relird, 
that  they  had  known  whole  fields  to  produce  a  quantity  so 
incredible  that  I  will  not  state  it.  The  whole  face  of  the 
country  is  covered  with  the  finest  oats,  growing  wild  ;  sugar, 
rice,  and  cotton,  find  their  own  congenial  climate.  Besides 
all  these,  the  richest  mines  of  gold  and  silver  have  been  dis- 
covered there;  and  the  pearl  fisheries  have  always  been 
sources  of  the  largest  profit;  and,  more  than  these,  there 
are  the  markets  of  India  and  China,  with  nothing  inter- 
vening but  the  calm  and  stormless  Pacific  Ocean.  The  dis- 
tance J'roin  the  head  of  navigation  in  the  Arkansas  and  Red 
rivers  to  a  navigable  point  of  the  wat«%rs  of  the  Gulf  of  Cali- 
fornia is  not  more  than  five  or  six  hundred  miles:  let  that 
distance  be  overcome  by  a  railroad,  and  what  a  vista  opens 
to  the  prosperity  and  power  of  our  country  !" 

Such  being  the  character  of  Upper  California, 
why  should  hot  "  the  hardy,  industrious,  and  en- 
terprising farmers"  from  the  United  States"  desert" 
the  comparatively  sterile  hills  and  plains  of  the 
north,  and  take  up  their  abode  in  this  paradise  of 
the  west?  It  will  be  found,  sir,  by  any  one  who 
will  take  the  trouble  to  read  Col.  J.  C.  Fremont's 
Report,  that  even  farmers  from  the  "  broad  acres" 
of  the  fertile  valley  of  the  Mississippi  do  go  to  Cal- 
ifornia— that  their  labors  are  rewarded  by  boun- 
tiful harves's',  and  that  they  are  wiihin  reach  of  the 
means  of  carrying  their  productions  to  market. 

J  cannot  forbear  giving  a  short  extract: 

"Cap  an  Sutler  emigrated  to  this  country  from  the  west- 
ern part  of  Missouri  in  1838  or  1859,  and  formed  the  fir>t  »et- 


8 


tlement  in  Ihis  valley  (the  Sacramento)  on  a  large  grant  of 
land  which  he  obtained  from  tin-  Mexican  Government.  He 
had  at  fir.-t  some  troul-le.  \virh  tlie  Indians;  but  by  the  occa- 
sional exercise  of  well-timed  authority,  lie  lias  succeeded  in 
converting  thijin  into  a  peaceable  and  industrious  people." 

He  then  goes  on  to  describe  Mr.  Sutler's  estab- 
lishment, his  employment  of  the  Indians,  &c.  He 
then  remarks: 

"  He  had  this  year  sown  (and  altogether  by  Indian  labor) 
three  hundred  fane.zas  oY  wheat,  (the  fanega  being  about 
two  bu.-hels.)  The  lowest  average  produce  of  wheat,  as  far 
as  we  can  at  present  know,  is  thirty  five  fanegas  for  one 
sown;  but,  as  one  instance  of  its  fertility,  it  may  be  men- 
tioned that  Ss  iiar  Vallejo  obtained,  on  a  piece  of  ground 
where  sheep  ha.I  been  pastured,  eight  hundred  fanegas  for 
eight  s?o\vn.?'  "  The  Sacramento  here  is  a  noble  river,  about 
three  hundred  ytlrds  broad,  deep  and  tranquil,  with  several 
fathoms  of  water  in  the  channel,  and  it<  bunks  continuously 
timbered.  There  were  two  vessels  belonging  to  Captain 
gutter  at  anchor  near  the  landing — one  a  large  two-masted 
lighter,  and  the  other  a  schooner,  which  was  shortly  to 
proceed  on  a  voyage  to  Fort  Vancouver  for  a  cargo  of 
goods." 

I  find,  by  reference  to  McCulloch's  Geographical 
Dictionary,  that  the  number  of  white  people  in  this 
province,  in  1831,  was  23,000.  What  the  number 
is  at  this  time  I  have  not  been  able  to  learn  with 
accuracy;  but  it  is  not,  probably,  less  than  40,000; 
and  the  tide  of  emigration  is  rapidly  flowing  in 
from  all  parts  of  the  Union,  and  the  fertile  valleys 
of  California  will  soon  teem  with  a  million  of  ac- 
tive and  thriving  people. 

But  the  acquisition  of  California  is  of  very  great 
importance,  in  a  commercial  point  of  view. 

I  have  already  incidentally  spoken  of  the  bay  of 
San  Francisco.  There*  are  other  harbors  on  the 
coast  which,  though  not  so  safe  and  capacious,  are 
yet  of  considerable  consequence.  But  San  Fran- 
cisco, the  harbor  of  harbors  on  the  Pacific  coast, 
can  hardly  be  overestimated  in  its  importance,  not 
only  to  California  itself,  but  to  the  commerce  of  the 
whole  Union.  Our  commerce  in  the  Pacific  Ocean  j 
is  now  quite  extensive,  and  still  increasing.  And 
should  the  plan  of  Mr.  Aaron  H.  Palmer,  lately  rec-  ! 
ommended  to  this  Government,  of  a  ship-canal  to 
unite  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific,  and  for  a  railroad 
from  some  point  on  the  Mississippi  to  San  Fran-  ! 
cisco,  or  San  Diego,  in  California,  be  carried  into 
operation,  as  it  doubtless  will  be  before  the  lapse 
of  many  years,  its  value  and  importance  will  be 
greatly  augmented. 

Why,  sir,  it  is  estimated  that  at  the  present  time  | 
"  the  American  whaling  vessels  alone  in  the  Pa- 
'cific  exceed  in  number  six  hundred,  and  give  em- 
'  ploy  ment  to  upwards  of  twenty  thousand  men;  and 
'  that  during  the  year  ending  the  31st  of  December, 
'  1837,  the  whole  number  of  our  merchant  vessels 
'[which  cleared  for  ports  in  the  Pacific,  and  to  ports 
'in  the  East  Indies, amounted  to  one  hundred  and 
'eighty-one."  The  amount  of  capital  employed 
does  not,  probably,  fall  short  of  eight  millions  of 
dollars — perhaps  it  is  more. 

Now,  sir,  shall  we  trust  the  protection  of  this 
commerce  to  foreign  nations,  with  whom  we  are 
liable  at  any  time  to  be  engaged  in  war;  or  shall  we 
adopt  the  means  necessary  to  protect  it  ourselves? 


I  believe,  sir,  that  we  should  not  hesitate  for  a  sin- 
gle moment.  If  we  embrace  the  opportunity  now 
offered  to  us,  we  may  secure  the  prize;  otherwise, 
it  may  be  forever  too  late.  Every  one  at  all  ac- 
quainted with  the  history  of  California,  must  be 
perfectly  aware  that  Great  Britain  has  been,  for  a 
number  of  years  past,  upon  the  point  of  laying  her 
rapacious  hand  upon  it.  And  she  would  doubtless 
have  effected  her  purpose,  had  not  our  Government 
wisely  interposed.  And  I  take  this  occasion  to 
say,  that  I  consider  the  doc  tripe  proclaimed  by  Mr. 
-Monroe  in  1823,  and  lately  reiterated  by  the  Presi- 
dent in  his  message  on  Yucatan,  a  sound  one,  and 
that  it  should  be  strictly  and  constantly  enforced 
by  the  United  States.  We  ought,  indeed,  to  "  con- 
sider any  attempt  on  the  part  of  Great  Britain,"  or 
any  other  European  Power,  to  take  possession  of 
California, "  as  dangerous  to  our  peace  and  safety." 

Sir,  I  consider  this  measure  of  acquisition  as 
one  of  great  importance  in  other  respects  than 
those  I  have  named.  It  is  not  merely  a  question 
of  to-day.  The  idea  of  indemnity  involved  should 
not  be  considered -as  a  mere  matter  of  pecuniary 
interest  alone.  It  is  not  only  important  to  the  free 
people  of  our  own  happy  country,  but  to  the  worn 
and  weary  exile  from  foreign  lands.  The  nations 
of  the  Old  World  are  not  yet  all  free,  and  probably 
will  not  be  for  ages  yet  to  come.  I  would  say  to 
all  who  are  still  oppressed  by  the  heavy  hand  of 
/despotism,  come  and  make  yourselves  homes  in 
the  fertile  valleys  and  sunny  plains  of  the  West. 
Here  your  rights  shall  be  respected,  and  you  shall 
enjoy,  equally  with  us,  all  the  blessings  which 
freedom,  equality,  and  plenty  can  afford. 

Sir,  I  deprecate  that  narrow  and  selfish  policy 
which  would  circumscribe  our  expanding  Union, 
and  confine  its  swelling,  bursting  tide  of  freemen 
within  the  limits  of  the  original  States,  hnd  whidi 
would  forbid  the  exile  of  Europe  to  set  foot  upon 
our  happy  shores.  Sir,  let  the  warm-hearted  la- 
borious son  of  Erin,  the  industrious  and  frugal 
German, •  thp  generous  and  patriotic  Pole,  come 
among  us.  I  fear  no  contamination  from  their 
presence.  If  our  country  is  not  sufficiently  large, 
let  its  borders  be  expanded  4x>  receive  them  all. 
The  policy  that  would  attempt  to  retard-  the  free 
course  of  liberal  principles,  or  check  the  flood  of 
emigration  that  is  still  rolling  onward  to  the  dis- 
tant West,  is  as  futile  as  it  is  unwise.  The  current 
is  deep  and  mighty,  and  cannot  be  stayed. 

Sir,  when  I  cast  a  glance  upon  the  past,  and  be- 
hold what  our  country  was  two  hundred  years 
ago — a  vast  wilderness,  with  a  few  scattered  ham- 
lets on  the  Atlantic  coast — when  I  look  upon  it 
now,  with  its  twenty-five  millions  of  free  and 
happy  people,  spread  over  an  area  vast  in  extent, 
yet  brought  into  close  proximity  by  the  facilities 
of  intercommunication,  which  have  almost  anni- 
hilated time  and  space— when  I  witness  the  mighty 
events  which  are  now  transpiring,  and  which  point 
to  the  future,  I  am  overwhelmed  in  contemplation 
of  the  glorious  destiny  which  a,waits  our  happy 
Union. 


